Since putting together this baseball recruiting update, I discovered another Michigan baseball commit, and this prospect may be the most highly ranked in the 2013 class, other than perhaps Jackson Lamb. Ethan Cohen is a 5-11, 180-pounder from Thousand Oaks, California, attending Keystone Academy. He verbally committed to Michigan in August.
Cohen is a speedy outfielder with impressive rankings from Perfect Game: #448 nationally, #80 in California, and #86 at his position on the national level. His Perfect Game profile includes this scouting report from June 2012:
Report: Ethan Cohen is a 2013 OF with a 5-11 180 lb. frame from Thousand Oaks, CA who attends Keystone Academy. Long lean athletic build, room to get stronger. 6.65 runner, aggressive in the outfield, shows his athleticism, long loose arm action, very good arm strength. Left handed hitter, smooth easy swing, has present bat speed with more to come with added strength, shows gap power, stays inside and drives the ball to left centerfield. Toolsy player with lots of projection, should continue to improve. Good student.
PG Grade: 9.5
The 9.5 grade (out of 10) is impressive, as PG's rating system has a 9 as a "potential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect" and a 10 as a "potential very high draft pick and/or elite level college prospect." The downside, of course, is the possibility that Cohen does end up being a high 2013 draft pick and goes pro right out of high school.
Bakich is going to be a huge coup for the baseball program. Guy succeeded at cellar dweller Maryland with little support. Michigan will give him more than he'll get from any other non-power program. Very excited.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.